Quantum is a performance midi sequencer which approaches music composition with an interactive creation processes - sometimes referred to as 'noodling'.
Where pattern or piano-role sequencers are good for music forms (intro/verse/chorus etc) or grid entry, Quantum's approach is built around the idea of a step being the focus - think of the step as a single note or chord written on a music sheet then add a lot of extra notation (like probability of playing or ornamentation say).
These highly detailed steps are then aligned into sequences (think melodies) that loop. You can have any length up to 64, but these can be further split into 4 sub-sequences that have their own set of sequencer parameters (like tempo, play direction, transpose etc).
To enter step parameters such as note pitch, velocity, gated length etc, 16 general faders are available which allow you to draw, drag, select copy/paste, inc/dec & link together to edit values. These are also midi learnable (midi cc or nrpn) to allow you to use control surfaces or midi controllers.
To aid you with faster control Quantum has loop actions which you can program in to carry out tasks when a sequence loops - e.g. transpose, randomise, start or load another sequence etc.
With up to 24 sequences playing Quantum introduces a mixer page allowing you to blend midi velocities. Built on the MidiSequencer engine, midi FX, devices & Controllers are now possible per sequence.
So why would Quantum be good for your setup? There are many midi enabled IOS & hardware synths that produce exotic timbres if you send them fast & varied midi controls that you just would not hear with keyboard playing or slow tempo tunes. Also, Quantum, embraces experimentation in melody creation and by copy/pasting allowing quick setup of arpeggios & counterpoint tunes that you can create & manipulate on the fly!
note : This app sends midi information - you need to use it in conjunction with any midi enabled iOS synth app (e.g. Sunrizer) to hear sounds
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Quantum Sequencer FAQ
Is Quantum Sequencer free?
Yes, Quantum Sequencer is completely free and it doesn't have any in-app purchases or subscriptions.
Is Quantum Sequencer legit?
🤔 The Quantum Sequencer app's quality is mixed. Some users are satisfied, while others report issues. Consider reading individual reviews for more context.
This is my favourite iOS sequencer. It will run all my iOS synths and also hardware synths. It is comprehensive and a little bit of time spent on YouTube (The developers own channel or The Sound Test Rooms tutorial) and with the manual are worth it. It is a step sequencer, not a piano roll. I love it and I have purchased a few others over the years, but always come back to Quantum. I learn something new, every time I do.
Awesome, look beyond the interface
Great stuff, so deep. UI update in the works if you don’t like the interface. A MIDI essential.
Useful for multipart compositions
Update May 2023
Can you please answer this question.
QUESTION: How can we sustain a note instead of playing note to note.
I’ve sent emails and asked over a year ago.
Now your email doesn’t work.
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I think this is a fantastic app for compositions. I can’t figure out, though, how to sustain a note. Is this possible? If not, can you add this feature.
More than a traditional step sequencer
I haven’t found an end to what this can do
Amazing but struggling with a couple of things
This review is just a rough recording of my experience with the apps, devices or combination(s) of devices & apps mentioned, made mostly without any technical knowledge of them.
It would seem that because the QUANTUM iOS MIDI sequencer does not by itself emit audio and therefore does not advertise itself as an audio source to the AUDIOBUS device (AU or APP) list, it is not detectable (or not recognized OR BOTH) BY AUDIOBUS as an audio source and where AUDIOBUS only makes the device currently generating the i/o data of a sequence rather than its audio emitting recipient (MIDI slave synthesizer etc.) available as an audio source it is impossible to route audio from instruments sequenced with QUANTUM iOS MIDI sequencer to recording, looping, sampling apps or built-in sound library recorders (AudioShare, AudioCopy, Flip, AUM, GarageBand, Xequence) WITH AUDIOBUS internally in iOS. This is of course a non-issue if you plan to work with external devices to record, sample or just amplify audio generated by instruments sequenced with QUANTUM iOS MIDI sequencer.
Independent of this, Quantum is AMAZING. The device has far more options, features and flexibility than I MYSELF will ever need in an iOS device, but it would be idiotic to cite that as a negative! Especially fun for note by note, parameter-locking or “vertical,” tracker-style sequencing. Well worth the investment of time and revenue but I would recommend primarily as an iPad app. In fact, evaluate it using an iPad before passing final judgment.
🥹📻💪🏽💪🏼💪🏻😮💨👂🧠🙄📡😠🕹🤔🤯😫⌚️⌚️⌚️🤩🤩🤩🥳🥳🥳
Was sooo excited till I tried it :(
Its fun for sequencing other ipad apps but I was really hoping it would also work with an OSX MIDI Network Session like ALL my other midi apps do. BUT IT DOESNT (crying) It has so much potential too! Ughhhhhh.... Dying
Its basically useless to me as its unable to touch hardware synths and VSTs via my Mac as I'd hoped. :(
Devs PLEEEEEEEASE fix!
AUM support PLEASE
This app is bananas... so deep and flexible. My only wish is for AUM support.
Tangerine times 10
This is insanely good, with so many features that are just hiding in there waiting for you to understand. When I find a lil feature it makes me happy that this app dev digs the old school ways. It is way more than I thought at first.
GUI needs serious makeover
Doesn’t sync properly. Not user friendly. Too much menu diving.
Among the most powerful
Among the most powerful step sequencers ever made. Only downside is it accounts for 70 percent of my battery use if I forget and leave it open, even if the clock isn’t running.